Iwai Shunji's 1994 film _Undo_ starts off relatively normal. Although his girlfriend Moemi desires a dog or a cat, the management of Yukio's apartment building does not allow its residents to keep pets. However, this agreement apparently only mentions certain pets such as our furry friends mentioned above because Yukio soon purchases two turtles for Moemi. Expecting a more warm-blooded companion, Moemi is of course a bit put out, but the young couple makes the best of things. Yukio even goes as far as to drill holes in the back of one turtle's shell so a leash can be put around him. Moemi does not allow the other turtle to be drilled, because she refers to that one as a house pet. A little later Yukio and Moemi take the turtle out for a walk and they seem as happy as any young couple would be walking a turtle. However, things begin to go a bit astray.
Moemi is quite childlike in nature, and her childishness is accented by the fact that she wears braces. However, soon into the film her braces is removed and the audience is treated to an oddly intimate scene in which Yukio, while kissing Moemi, licks her teeth and states that it is different because there is no taste of metal. Moemi then informs him that she can always have them put back. After this event Moemi starts to become a bit odd. She begins to tie things with string. She ties up apples, books, and even suspends her turtles from the ceiling. Yukio takes her to a psychiatrist who states that Moemi suffers from Obsessine Knot-Tying Syndrome and that she does it because she is worried about being in an unstable situation. The movie goes on to show how unstable Moemi truly is.
Iwai Shunji is a fascinating director. I have watched his films _All About Lily Chou Chou_, _April Story_, and _Love Letter_, and I must say that this is the most disturbing one that I have had the pleasure of watching.
